Dover approves 3 percent raisesDOVER — The Dover City Council approved the city's 2015 budget, which included a 3 percent raise for all full-time city employees, during its regular meeting Tuesday. "We really didn't know for sure if we were going to be able to do that, but we put the figures to it and it worked out," Mayor Pat Johnson said of the raises. "As long as we can do that, I'd like to do that." Alderman Chris Loper said he was encouraged by the budget. "Generally s...

Lawyer: Dad accused of tossing girl off bridge acted strangeST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The man accused of throwing his 5-year-old daughter off a bridge early Thursday had been acting strangely hours before, calling his attorney "God" and asking her to translate a Bible in Swedish, according to sheriff's documents. Attorney Genevieve Torres said she met with John Jonchuck on Wednesday to discuss the custody case for his 5-year-old daughter, Phoebe, who was found dead in Tampa Bay after police said he t...

Relay For Life to meet MondayTeam captains for the 2015 River Valley Relay For Life will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Russellville Chamber of Commerce. The 2015 River Valley Relay For Life is scheduled for 5-11 p.m. March 14 at Russellville High School’s Cyclone Stadium. "Give Cancer the Boot" is the theme for this year’s event, which is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society (ACS). "Even though there are only two months remaining before the event, th...

Law enforcement to participate in appreciation dayPope County law enforcement will celebrate National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (LEAD) from 5:30-7 p.m. Friday at the Hughes Center in Russellville. The Pope County Sheriff's Department, Russellville Police Department, Pottsville Police Department and Dover City Marshal's Office will participate in the free, family event. According to a news release from Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, 78,000 police officers countrywide go...

Obituary: Ja'Caden WilsonDARDANELLE — Ja’Caden Keyshawn Wilson, 2, of Dardanelle went to be with the angels on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014. He was born Nov. 19, 2012, at Russellville to Aaron Wilson and Tiffany Dye. He loved to watch the Mickey Mouse Club House. He was preceded in death by his great-grandmother, Oma Dickens and great-grandfather, Rev. A.C. Melton. Survivors include his parents, Aaron Wilson and Tiffany Dye, both of Dardanelle; two brothers, Javarious Wes...

Obituary: James EdwardsRev. James A. Edwards, 85, of Greers Ferry died Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, at his home. He was born Oct. 17, 1929, in Augusta to Raymond Edgar and Mildred Lee Jennings Edwards. The graveside service will begin at 2 p.m., Friday, Jan. 9, 2015, at Rest Haven Memorial Park and under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. The family will conduct a celebration of life servic...

Obituary: Mary WilliamsCLARKSVILLE — Mary Mae Nowotny Williams, 85, of Knoxville died Jan. 6, 2015, in Clarksville. She was born Nov. 17, 1929, in Bokoshe, Okla., to Tom and Mae Masterson Nowotny. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth R. Williams; three brothers, Jay, Billy Joe and Tommy Ed Nowotny; and a sister, Bobbie Jean McLean. She is survived by her son, James H. (Phyllis) Williams of Knoxville; sisters, Patricia Ann Smith of Pocola, Okla.,...

Obituary: Christine YerbyDARDANELLE — Christine Faucett Yerby, 65, of Dardanelle died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, at her home. She was born Feb. 22, 1949, at Clarksville to Ruth Yearwood. She was of the Baptist faith and was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Yearwood Faucett; her husband, Robert J. Yerby; aunts and uncles, Ada Bryant, Lena and Charlie Morris and a cousin, Larry Bryant. Survivors include her children, Lori Yerby Pratt, Lynn Michelle Hodges and husband J...

Obituary: James PriceJames Laurell Price, 74, of Pottsville departed this life Monday, Jan. 6, 2015, at his home. He was born March 4, 1940, in Russellville to Lelon and Leona Wirth Price. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Helen and Zelma Price. He is survived by companion of 31 years, Audrey Otto of Pottsville; the mother of his children, Mary Evelyn Price of Russellville; one daughter, Sherri McClure and husband David of Russellville; one...

Music minister accused of sexual assaultDANVILLE — A Yell County music minister was arrested Sunday on suspicion of second-degree sexual assault. Timothy E. Patton, 55, who has been the minister of music at the Danville First Baptist Church for nine years, was also accused of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and purchasing alcohol for a minor, which are misdemeanors. Logan Ferguson, Danville First Baptist Church youth pastor, declined to comment on the status of Patton's e...

Bond hearingsThe following individuals appeared during felony bond hearings Wednesday at the Pope County Detention Center. Their names, ages, anticipated charges and bond amounts are listed. If charged, they will appear Feb. 9 in Circuit Court. • Joshua Brown, 28, aggravated assault — $7,500. Officers responded to a domestic disturbance call shortly before 1:30 p.m. Tuesday and found Brown's estranged wife with red marks on her throat, according to a polic...

Salary panel asks to review out-of-state data LITTLE ROCK (AP) — The panel reviewing the salaries of Arkansas' elected officials wants the Legislature's researchers to compile economic data from other states before it makes any changes to the current pay structure. The Independent Citizens Commission, created by voters last November through a constitutional amendment that also extended legislative term limits, faces a Feb. 2 deadline to review current salaries. At its meeting Wednesday, p...

Hutchinson wants broader discussion on health care LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Incoming Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Wednesday he wants to take a broader look at Arkansas' role in health care that goes beyond whether the state should continue its compromise Medicaid expansion. The Republican governor-elect, who is set to take office on Tuesday, said he wants a discussion on the state's Medicaid program that doesn't focus solely on the "private option" expansion. Under the private option, Arkansas is using ...

Death of woman in Harrison fire investigated as homicide HARRISON (AP) — Police in Harrison say the death of a woman whose body found following a house fire is being investigated as a homicide. Police Chief Paul Woodruff told the Harrison Daily Times (http://bit.ly/14vd3jU ) that the woman was found dead and a child injured in the fire Tuesday. The woman's name and a suspected cause of her death were not released. The nature of the child's injuries also were not released.

Russellville City Council OKs $3 million for road projectThe Russellville City Council voted during a special meeting Tuesday to appropriate $3 million to the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) Weir Road construction project. Alderman Bill Eaton told the Finance Committee that when he was mayor, the AHTD had told him it would need the funding for the city’s share soon. The project will improve Weir Road to four lanes with a center turn lane from Hob Nob Road north to State Highway...

Theft suspect arrestedThe Russellville Police Department on Wednesday arrested a man suspected in several thefts of construction materials. The suspect was identified through "numerous tips" the department received from the public. "The Russellville police would like to send out a special thanks to our community and media for their overwhelming response to this crime," Drew Latch, public information officer, said. The suspect, Pablo Cortez, has been charged with fe...

Police hunt gunmen who killed 12 in attack on French newspaperPARIS (AP) — Masked gunmen stormed the offices of a satirical newspaper that caricatured the Prophet Muhammad, methodically killing 12 people Wednesday, including the editor, before escaping in a car. It was France's deadliest terrorist attack in half a century. Shouting "Allahu akbar!" as they fired, the men also spoke flawless, unaccented French in the military-style noon-time attack on the weekly paper Charlie Hebdo, located near Paris' Bas...